Stabilizing guides for tables



April 22, 1958 W. J. BARGEN 2,831,290

STABILIZING GUIDES FOR TABLES Filed Deo. 14, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2STABILlZiNG GUIDES FOR TABLES William .l ames Bai-gen, Waukegan, Ill.Application December 14, 1953, Serial No. 397,921

2 Claims. (Cl.v 45-137) This invention relates to an improved deskconstruction. An object of this invention is to provide an improved deskconstruction which is designed particularly as a school desk formed outof a tubular frame with stabilizing means at the lower ends of the legs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tubular frame for adesk having base or stabilizing bars fixed to -the lowerends of thelegs, with the bars formed of obtusely related portions which formguides for arranging a plurality of desks in symmetrical groups.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tubular frame for adesk'having base bars connecting the opposite legs together withcushioned foot or bottom members engageable with a floor to resistsliding and marring of the door.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a desk or tableframe, a pair of leg connecting bars at `the lower ends of the legswhich project laterally from the vertical planes of the opposite ends ofthe top so that the connecting bars of adjacent desks or tables willhold the tops against touching.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tubular frame for adesk or table wherein the lower ends of each pair of legs are connectedtogether by means of a connecting bar which is longitudinally bent withobtusely related portions which assist in the group arrangement of thedesks or tables.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in thearrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in thedrawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view, partly broken away and in section, of adesk or table supporting structure constructed according to anembodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a detailed end elevation, partly broken away and in section,of the base portion of the frame structure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing one grouping or arrangement oftables embodying this invention.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing another grouping or arrangementof tables embodying this invention.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing a further grouping orarrangement of desks embodying this invennon.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing a pair of desks disposed back-to-back.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates generally a framestructure having a top 11 secured to the upper portion thereof byfastening means 13.

The frame structure 10 is formed of pairs of legs 12 rates Patent M2,831,290 `latented* 22, 1958 ICC 2 and 14 which are formed at theirupper ends with inwardly convergent substantially horizontal upperportions 15 and 16 respectively.

The horizontal leg portions 15 and 16 are connected together at theirinner convergent ends with substantially T-shaped connectors orcouplings 17, and the two couplings 17 are connected together by meansof a truncated V-shaped connecting bar 18. The legs 12 and 14, at theirlower ends, are secured to a base bar, generally indicated at 19. v

The upper side of bar 19 is provided with bushings 20 and 21 in whichthe legs 12 and 14 are firmly secured such as by welding or the like.The bar 19, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, is formed with a relativelylong forward portion 22 with an intermediate obtusely related portion23, and with a rear obtusely related portion 24.

The two intermediate portions 23 are disposed in substantially parallelrelation, whereas the long forward portions 22 converge forwardly andtheshort rear portions 24 converge rearwardly. The angular relation of theforward portion 22 with respect to the intermediate portion 23av issubstantially the same as the angular relation of `the rear portion 24.with respect to the intermediate portion 23, the purpose for which willbe hereinafter described. v

A cushioning shoe, generally indicated at 25, is secured to the lowerside of the bar 19 by fastening means 26. The cushioning means or member25 is formed of a flat embedded bar 27 having a configuration similar tobar 19, and bar 27 is embedded in a rubber covering 28. The covering 28,at the opposite ends thereof, is provided with foot members 28 and 30.

As shown in Figure 1, the opposite ends of the top 11 are disposedinwardly of the vertical plane of the outer edges of bars 19 so thatwhen these frame structures, with the top secured thereto, are placed invarious kinds ofgroups the tops 11 will not be in contact one withanother.

Tlie frame structure hereinbefore described may be grouped in a circulararrangement of the desks with the rear portions of the desks outermost,as shown in Figure 5. In this arrangement the child seated at the deskwill be on the outside of the circle.

Where it is desired to have the children on the inside of the circle,the desks are arranged with the short rear portions 24 in abuttingrelation, as shown in Figure 6. In the event it isdesired to positionthe desks in substantially a straight line, the intermediate portions 23will be disposed in abutting relation as shown in Figure 7.

The base bars 19 not only provide a stabilizing means for holding thelegs 12 and 14 against vibration or undue strain, but also provide arest for thefeet of the child, in addition to providing a guide meansfor the instructor in arranging a series of these desks or tables inaparticular group configuration.

This frame structure is preferably formed out of tubular material whichwill provide the necessary strength with reduction in weight, and at thesame time provide a sturdy frame structure which will withstand hardusage.

The upper ends of the legs 12 and 14 are connected together by means ofa tie bar 31 which is welded or otherwise firmly secured to the junctionbetween the legs 12 and 14 and the horizontal inwardly convergent upperend portions 15 and 16 respectively.

The stabilizing guides herein disclosed may be used with table tops ofvarious shapes. While the legs are shown as being tubular they may bemade solid and formed out of either metal or wood.

The guides not only provide for spacing desks from each other, but alsotake the place of rungs heretofore used for strength purposes inyconnecting legs together. The

arrangement .of the legs, particularly` the `front legs, which are setback, tends to open up leg room in conjunction with a chair.

The guides may be used alone `with the tablel or desk structure, or maybe used with the rubber shoes.

What is claimed is: v l. In a desk or table frame, a pair of atoppositely disposed base bars, a pair of legs secured to and extendingupwardly frorn eachof said base bars, means connecting the upper ends ofthe -legs of each pair of legs, said bars each being formed of arelatively long inwardly inclined forward portion, an obtusely relatedintermediate portion extending from the rear of said forward portion,and an obtusely related rear portion extending from the rear of saidintermediate portion, the forward portions of said bars convergingforwardly, said intermediate portions of said bars being substantiallyparallel, and said rear portions converging rearwardly, said pair oflegs converging inwardly, and means connecting the upper ends ofsaidpairs of legs together, said base bars each extending outwardly beyondsaid frame and being adapted to engage the base bar of an adjacent frameto align saidframes.

2. In a desk or table frame, a pair of flat base bars arranged in spacedoppostely disposed confronting relation, a tubular framework supportedon and secured to said bars and Vextending upwardly and inwardlytherefrom, said base bars each extending outwardly beyond saidframework,^said bars each being formed with intermediate portionsextending generally parallel to each other, forward portions convergingforwardly and inwardly and rear portions converging rearwardly andinwardly with the forward intermediate and rear portion of each of saidbars being integral, said base bars being adapted to have the outer edgeportions thereof engage the outer edge portion of an adjacent bar of anadjacent frame to position said frames in respect to each other inaligned relation.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS

